The SMCM Energy Management protocol was implemented to provide the college community with a high-quality physical environment that is comfortable, well lit, and conducive to an enhanced learning experience for our students. We will serve the entire college community by providing a physical environment compatible with a productive workplace and efficient in the use of resources by:
- Improving the Campus environment and reducing expenditures for energy through improvements in the condition and operation of the physical infrastructure of the campus.
- Developing fiscally and environmentally sound processes for the management of the College’s energy resources.
- Striving to incorporate the latest proven technologies and techniques for the most efficient use of the College’s limited energy resources.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland implemented the energy management initiative to increase efficiency. We will strive to maintain sustainable processes that support the mission of the college.
Energy Policy Statement
In keeping with its goals, St. Mary’s College of Maryland is committed to maintaining appropriate environments in its various facilities in support of its educational mission. The College is committed to utilization of the best available energy conservation practices in its efforts to provide efficient utility services to current and future facilities. The College is further committed to use all means at its disposal to prevent and curtail excessive use of energy in its efforts to provide appropriate environments.
The accomplishment of these objectives will require constant, vigilant oversight by all members of the College community to balance potentially conflicting demands for fiscally limited resources. The College’s ability to invest in optimizing utilities and facilities in the face of these potential conflicts is constrained both by available resources and fiscal policies.
The following guidelines for Energy Management will be used to evaluate facility environmental requirements to best support the mission and objectives of the College. Any deviation from these guidelines is subject to approval by Campus Operations. Deviations are to be expected only in exceptional cases or instances of documented need.
Energy Conservation Policies
In most instances, the temperature of indoor environments is governed by automated controls monitored by Campus Operations personnel. Building occupants can significantly contribute to their own comfort by wearing seasonably appropriate clothing and by making sure that windows, storm windows, shades and blinds work properly and are appropriately positioned for the season.
Seasons
Winter SeasonÂ
The targeted maximum winter temperature for occupied residential, academic and working spaces is 68°F. Due to building characteristics and control limitations, actual temperatures will vary. Wherever feasible, night time and weekend heating set point temperatures will be reduced to approximately 55°F. Temperatures in storerooms, hallways, stairwells and other unoccupied areas will be kept in the 45°F to 55°F range, unless it is feasible to shut off heat altogether. The only exceptions to these guidelines will be in laboratories, experimental areas, museums and spaces where there is a documented and approved requirement for the maintenance of either higher or more consistent temperatures. Approval of all exceptions will be by the Assistant Vice President of Campus Operations.
Electric heaters to supplement central heating are allowed only in special circumstances with the authorization of Campus Operations administrators. Authorized electric heaters shall not have an open heating element which is very dangerous when misused. Only authorized non-open heating element, type heaters will be allowed and only under controlled circumstances. In general windows should not be opened during the winter to cool spaces. Campus Operations should be notified by calling x4287 and or by using the on line work order system whenever central heating is not performing adequately or overheating is occurring.
Changeover from summer (cooling) operation to winter (heating) operation will occur no earlier than October 1st. The actual date of changeover may be later than October 1st as determined by the weather conditions.
Summer Season
In areas where air conditioning systems have been installed, the targeted minimum temperature during occupied times will be 78°F (except in auditoriums, theaters and other areas where large numbers of people may assemble, where the pre-event target will be 73°F). Wherever feasible, nighttime and weekend cooling temperature set points will be increased to 85°F. Temperatures in storerooms, hallways, stairwells and other unoccupied areas will be kept in the 85°F to 90°F range, unless it is feasible to shut off cooling altogether. The only exceptions to these guidelines will be in laboratories, computer rooms, experimental areas, museums and spaces where there is a documented and approved work requirement for the maintenance of either lower or more consistent temperatures. Due to building characteristics and control limitations, actual temperatures may vary from the target. Approval of all exceptions will be by Campus Operations.
Changeover from winter (heating) to summer (cooling) operation will occur in a staged process between mid-March and May of each year. The actual date of changeover may be later than May 1st as determined by the weather conditions. Areas cooled by window air conditioners shall remain in place and covered for the winter.
Exceptions will be made to allow window air conditioners of 5000BTU capacity using 120V power connection to be installed in student rooms throughout the entire academic year only in instances when the need is demonstrated by a doctor’s statement specifying this requirement.
All Seasons
Areas equipped with ventilation systems will be operated in the most economical way possible consistent with ASHRAE and MOSH fresh air requirements and the comfort and safety of building occupants. During times of reduced occupancy, cycling of fans or reduced fan speeds will be employed where possible to conserve energy, and if possible, systems will be shut off entirely during periods of minimal or no use.
Interior lighting
Adequate lighting for interior use is essential, but must be provided in an energy efficient means. Fluorescent lighting will be used whenever possible, utilizing efficient lamps and electronic ballast employing the latest commercially available and proven technology feasible. High power-factor ballast is required on all new light fixtures and will be employed as required for replacements in all older fixtures.
Special use considerations for either a different type of lighting or different levels of lighting will be evaluated by the Campus Operations on a by-request basis using ASHRAE/ANSI/MOSH standards for workplace lighting as a guide.
Appliances and portable electrical devices
All devices and appliances should be used in an energy-efficient manner following manufacturers’ instructions and stated limitations. Electrical appliances (such as coffee machines) should be turned off and unplugged when not in use. Appropriate portable electric heaters are allowed only with previous approval from Campus Operations administrators. These guidelines apply to portable A/V equipment, laboratory equipment and office equipment as well.
Please turn off all computers, personal printers and monitors when they will be unused for an extended length of time or when the user has left for the day. Network printers should remain turned on at all times.
Hours of facility use and special schedule requests
To ensure proper heating or air conditioning in College facilities used outside of normal occupied times, all scheduled events should be done through the EMS scheduling system. The following also needs to be included to ensure events are properly scheduled: the facility to be used, the dates and hours of use, the number of people that will be using the facility, and the type of use. The College will reduce hours of building occupancy during holidays and whenever else is deemed possible to conserve energy without compromising the institution’s academic and social missions. Facilities without a predetermined operating schedule and special events outside of a facility’s normal operating schedule should be requested through the Events office/EMS, being sure to state the hours of occupancy required and the need for a special schedule for heating or air conditioning.
In the absence of special needs accompanied by proper requests, hours of occupancy will be as follows:
- Residence Halls: Continuously occupied when school is in session. Continuously unoccupied when school is not in session. Summer Conference occupancy is determined by the conference schedule.
- Administrative Areas: Occupied from 7:00AM until 6:30PM Monday through Friday.
- Academic Areas: Occupied from 7:00AM until 10PM Monday through Friday.
- Laboratories and special use areas: 24 hours 7 days a week.
- Campus Center: Occupied from 7:00AM until 10PM every day when school is in session. When school is not in session, occupancy hours will be determined by the hours of use of each area to match the occupancy time.
- Campus Center Kitchen: Occupied from 5:00AM until 10PM every day when school is in session. When school is not in session, occupancy hours will be determined by the hours of use of each area to match the occupancy time.
Without an appropriate request, facilities deemed unoccupied will have the interior temperature set points moderated as stated in the heating and cooling section. If there are legitimate, isolated occupancy needs after scheduled hours, heat or air conditioning will be provided in affected areas on an on-request basis.
Water Use
The maximum allowable flow rates for newly installed devices will be:
- Shower heads- 2.5 gpm
- Faucets- 1.5 gpm
- Toilets- 1.6 gpf
- Urinals- 1.6 gpf
- Urinals- Waterless
Over time the College will retrofit older non-compliant devices.
Faculty, staff and students should take care to use water sparingly, be sure to completely turn off water after use, and report leaking taps, toilets or valves to Campus Operations.
